The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 144, 20 June 1868, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1868. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Friday, June 19. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock. All the members were present except Messrs F. Kelling and Bentley. Mr Gihbs's motion that the Council resolve itself into committee to consider Message No. 9 from his Honor the Superintendent, in reference to the Brunner Coalmine, having been carried, the House went into committee, Mr Kedwood in the chair. Mr Gibbs moved the rescinding of the resolution passed on the 3rd of June last, to the effect that such arrangements only should be made by the Waste Lands Board for the working of the mine as would not prevent it becoming a portion of the Kailway Company. A long debate ensued, during which a feeling favorable to the motion was very generally manifested, and the Speaker moved, as Mr Dutton, the Warden at Cobden, was in the Council Chamber, that he be examined in reference to the question at issue. Mr Dutton being examined, stated that- he thought the proposition to shut up the mine for, say, twelve months, would certainly revive a desire for separation in the Grey district. The people on the Nelson side were, generally speaking, quite content with the Nelson Government, a fact which had been elicited during a recent agitation in favor of separation , but when they heard of the resolution passed by the Council on the 3rd June, the agitators said that they had nothing more to do, for the Nelson Provinc.al Council, by such legislation, would do their work for them. Mr Dutton thought it very probable that, should the construction of the railway from the mine to the port be delayed, the Canterbury Company would at once lay down their line, for it was anticipated that if one year's delay occurred, there, would be a still longer delay. He also stated that the supply of coal at the mine was not equal to the demand, and that five times the present amount could be sold. The people on the West Coast generally thought that the railway would be beneficial, but did not believe it would ever be made, and he was of opinion that the mine might be worked to far greater advantage than at present, giving his grounds for this opinion. The motion was ultimately carried by 15 to 5, an amendment by Mr Donne having been lost, that the Government should work the mine for the next twelve months, providing all necessary appliances for bringing the coal to Cobden. The Council adjourned at half-past 1 until 5 o'clock. The Council re-assembled at 5 o'clock, when the Speaker having left the chair, the House went into Committee, and Mr Akersten moved * That this Committee is of opinion that the Waste Lands Board should lease the Brunner Coalmine to any Company able to forthwith construct a line to Cobden. But if more than one company should apply for this mine, preference should be given to the company which would give the option of purchase (after a period of five years has elapsed) to the Nelson, Cobden, and Westport Kailway Company. A very long and animated debate ensued, during which, in reply to a personal allusion by Mr. Donne, Mr Parker took occasion to administer, a severe castigation to that hon. member, who repeatedly interrupted him, but was ruled out of order by the chairman, Mr Macmahon also charging 1 him; with vexatiously and intentionally obstructing the business of the Council. Mr. Akersten's motion was ultimately put to the Committee in two paragraphs, lhe former of which, as far as the word 'Cobden,' was carried unanimously on the voices, the second was negatived by 13 to 8. On Mr Wastney moving the adoption of the report of the select committee on Mr Wrigg's report, which recommended that that gentleman should be sent home, with a view to the promotion of the railway scheme, a very general opinion was expressed by the Government and other members that such a step would be viewed with suspicion, and therefore detrimental to the scheme, and the motion was negatived by 14 to 5, Messrs Akersten, White and Sparrow declining, to vote. Mr J. V. Smith's motion to introduce a short bill to give a Bonus of £5,000 to any company or private individual forming an Iron Tramway Detween Westport and Charleston, via Addison's Flat, in lieu of 5,000 acres of land as origiuaily granted, amended on the motion of Mr Burn, by the insertion of the words ' upon the completion of an iron tramway, instead of 'forming,' and by another by the Provincial Secretary, requesting the Superintendent to introduce a bill for the purpose next stssion, was carried unanimously. ftir Beitt's motion for a sum of £150 to be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of erecting a horse bridge over the Waiiti, above Foxhill, was adopted. The motion by Mr Donne, on the recommittal of the Estimates, after the words ' Commii«sioner and Resident Magistrate,' to strike out the figures £700, and insert in lieu thereof the figures £600; also to strike out the words and figures, ' Boat's crew, Westport, £350,' was lost on division by 12 to 6. Mr White's motion that the sum of £100 be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for the purpose of purchasing and fencing in two acres of

land for a public cemetery in Lower Wakefield, Waimea South, was carried. On Mr Parker's motion, the report of the select committee on the Bui) er Wharf was read and adopted. Mr Donne's motion, seconded by Mr Akersten, that the sum of £500, (decreased to £400, on the motion of the Provincial Secretary, seconded by Mr Mucraahon), was carried. Mr Donne moved, seconded by Mr Smith, that the sum of £1,000 be placed on the Supplementarv Estimates, for the purpose of protecting the river banks at Westport. The motion was lost, on division, by 13 to 4. Mr Wastnev's motion, seconded by Mr Akersten, for a sum of £60, lor a new bridge over the river Ludd, in Happy Valley, in accordance with a plan and estimate furnished by the Provincial Engineer, was carried, as was also Mr Baigent's motion, seconded by Mr Sparrow, that the Superintendent he requested to advance to such of the Eoad Boards as may make application for the same, a portion (not exceeding one-third) of the sums voted to such Boards on the Estimates now before the Council. On Mr Parker moving, seconded by Mrjßaigent, that in the opinion of the Couneil his Honor the Superintendent should not enter into any arrangements with any agent, or agents, on behalf of this Province, for the Ndson, Cobden, and Westport Piailway, at a cost exceeding £3000, without the sanction of the Council. Mr Akersten, seconded by Mr Donne, moved that all the words after ' Eailway ' be struck out, for both Mr Morrison and Mr Wrigg having declared that the railway could not be floated without the Brunner Coalmine, and the Council having decided to lease it, the railway scheme had become a farce, and he was determined at once to test the sincerity of the House on the question. After much discussion a division on Mr Akersten's motion took place, with the following result, 11 to 10, Messrs. Gibbs, Wisley, Donne, Ilorne, Beitt. Smith, Akersten, Burn, Simmonds, Macmahon, and Wastney votiug with th? ayes, and the Provincial Solicitor, the Provincial Secretary, Messrs. Pitt, Sparrow, C. Kelling, Kingdon, Dreyer, Thompson, Parker, and Baigent with the Noes. Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Kingdon, then proposed to insert, the words ' at a sum not exceeding £ 1 000' after the word • Railway.' This was opposed both bv the Provincial Secretary and Provincial Solicitor, as being wholly inadequate to place the scheme fairly before -English capitalists, and who denounced the motion as being intended to- burke the whole project. Mr Parker, who inveighed against the inconsistency and pettishness displayed by some lion, members, because their darling scheme had not been carried, reminded them that the Government could now turn round and say truthfully that it could have floated the railway scheme, but the Council would not permit it, and after stating his conviction that the public would not be satisfied with such a result, moved the adjournment of the Council, which, on division was carried by 15 to 7. Mr Simmonds' motion having been carried that the Superintendent be requested to give immediate instructions to the Provincial Engineer to take the necessary steps for the construction of the Bridge over the Wai-iti, Foshill ; so that the necessary ironwork may be sent for from England without delay, and that the timber may be cut at the most suitable season of the year, and thus be seasoned when required for use, on the motion of Mr Parker, the House went into com ■ mittee, Mr Donne in the chair, on the Standing Orders on the 'Compulsory Land Taking Act, 1866,' which were carried with some few amendments. The Council then adjourned at 10 minutes to 10, until 11 o'clock this morning.